The Great Dane

It is a fact that any Great Dane owner will have to get used to people on the street seeing their dog and getting incredibly excited, even stopping to take photos. These gentle, goofy giants found fame in Scooby Doo but were probably always destined to be one of the nation’s favourite breeds anyway thanks to their impressive stature and wonderful personalities.

The world’s tallest dog, Zeus, was an incredible 112 cm, but most Great Danes reach between 70 – 80 cm. Their handsome, chiselled features and muscular build complement their large size, and they come in a variety of colours such as black, blue, fawn, harlequin, mantle and brindle.

Dealing with this large size is no small feat – their long tails and clumsy gait can send things flying. They also need moderate exercise – while they are too lazy to be a jogging partner, they do need a good walk every day. While they would prefer a garden to explore, Great Danes are also suitable for apartments as they are more than content to lounge about in style. Thankfully they are not a noisy breed, so they shouldn’t disturb the neighbours.

Great Danes are also hungry boys, the larger dogs eating up to 880g of high-quality food per day, setting owners back between £50-60 per month. Their giant size can also sadly lead to health problems, particularly concerning their heart, so life expectancy is fairly low at 8-10 years. They are powerful and sometimes stubborn, so good training from a young age is vital to avoid these boisterous dogs becoming difficult to manage.

Despite this, they remain a beloved breed thanks to their friendly, outgoing and often silly natures. These affectionate dogs make wonderful companions and are especially good with children making them great family pets. They love attention so much that they can get separation anxiety, so using a dog walker or dog sitter is often necessary if the owner is going to be out for more than a couple of hours. They are also ideal for homes with other dogs thanks to their sociable yet mild-mannered nature, and their intelligence and playfulness make them entertaining and endlessly surprising family members.